Make the Most of it.

Hello and welcome to Unseen today. I have been working on a tribute to my mom and have been searching through my memories. Read on to see what I learned about life from one of my most colorful family members.

 

Make the most of it.

My Grandma was what we lovingly called a character. She always looked at life about 30 degrees off of what everyone else did. You never knew what you were going to get. Once she made sandwiches cut in a variety of sized circles with mayonnaise, cheese, bread- and- butter pickles and jelly. She was so excited about them none of us had the heart to tell her that they were terrible. She loved genealogy and was telling me her version of Grandpa’s family. She said, “Now, your great-great uncle John Carver was a stowaway on a wagon train. “  Grandpa rolled his eyes and said, “Oh, Stella, he was not! It’s my family. I ought to know.” Without batting an eye she said, “Well, I have to make it sound good.”

When I was in high school, my mom and her brothers and sisters told Grandma and Grandpa that they needed new carpet. Grandpa said that they didn’t because it was the top of the line carpet when they bought it. (in 1968) One child got them out of the house and another let in the carpet layers.  Of course when they saw it they loved it.  My cousin Nancy was there that weekend and had gone on a date. She didn’t want to wake anyone up so she didn’t turn on any lights. She nearly tripped on Grandma laying in the middle of the living room floor. Grandma was in her 80’s at the time and Nancy asked if she was alright. “Well, sure.” came the reply. When Nancy asked why she was lying in the middle of the living room floor she said, and I quote, “I’m just trying to get my money’s worth out of this new carpet.”

Grandma may have understood something many of us don’t.  She did her best to get the most she could out of ingredients in the fridge, stories, and carpet. How do we go about getting the most out of life? One way we can do this is by using the gifts God has given us. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the different types of gifts and how many members become one body. It is tempting to try to fit our spirits and our mind into a mold that looks more exciting or more profitable than what we are designed for. We may want the spotlight or the thrill of public leadership when we may be fitted for behind the scenes work. For example, I could make a meal and host someone at my house, and it would be fine, but I would probably do more good with half an hour of writing or singing than in 2 hours of cooking and 8 hours of cleaning to get my house ready for company.  My mother-in-law finds it hard to express her love in words, preferring to cook, sew or craft instead to show her love.

Ephesians 2:10 say,  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. He told Jeremiah that he had set him apart as a prophet before he was born. (Jer 1:9) One of my favorite life verses is Phil 1:6. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it till the day of Jesus.  Then there is the beautiful verse in Jeremiah 29:11-13. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

Remember who you are. Find your gifts and learn to serve God and others with your gifts. Then we can do what Paul advises in Ephesians 5:16 Walk as wise men, not as unwise. Make the most of the time because the days are evil.